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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

First of Two for McKeil

McKeil Marine has taken delivery of the first of two sister tugs, very similar to two more tugs already in the fleet.

Lois M was registered today in St.John's, NL - the centre of much McKeil activity these days, although the company is based in Hamilton, ON. The tug arrived in Mulgrave on September 17 and is fitting out for service.

Lois M tied up at Mulgrave this morning.

Built in 1991 by Matsuura Iron Shipbuilding (Tekko Zosen) of Higashino, Japan, the tug is fitted with two Niigata main engines generating 4,800 bhp and delivering 80 tonnes bollard pull through two Rexpeller azimuthing stern drives.

Lois M was delivered in July 1991 as Lambert for the Cleveland Cliffs - Robe River Iron of Australia and registered in Fremantle. It was the second of an identical pair, the first was Pannawonica I delivered in June of the same year. The tugs worked in the Pilbara iron ore region of Western Australia latterly under the management of Westug Management. Robe River Iron is now part of Rio Tinto, and Westug has upgraded its fleet with more modern units. [Their web site is worth a look: http://www.westug.com/]

McKeil acquired the pair earlier this year. In June they were reported in Singapore. It was flying the flag of St.Vincent and the Grenadines for the delivery. From photos on McKeil's web site, Pannawonica I has an elevated wheelhouse, but is otherwise identical. It is reported in Walvis Bay, Namibia.

Built to the same basic design, Beverly M 1 and Sharon M 1 have been working for McKeil since 2013. Beverly M 1 spent the summer as picket vessel for BP's offshore seismic work. That mission was completed last week and it has also returned to Mulgrave for cleanup. Sharon M 1 has an elevated wheelhouse and has been engaged in a variety of barge work and is currently in Bay Bulls, NL..